Released Pakistani Activist Vows to Continue Palestine Fight

Former Pakistani Senator and prominent activist Mushtaq Ahmed Khan has pledged to persist in his support for Palestine following his release from an Israeli detention facility. Khan arrived in Amman, Jordan, early Tuesday alongside approximately 150 other pro-Palestinian activists who were detained last week during an Israeli military operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.

Allegations of Mistreatment

In a video statement shared from Jordan's capital, Khan detailed harsh conditions during his captivity. He stated that activists were handcuffed, shackled, and subjected to threats and attacks by dogs. "We were denied access to drinking water, medication, and basic necessities in that notorious facility," he claimed. The activist also reported that the detainees held a three-day hunger strike to protest their treatment by Israeli authorities.

Despite the ordeal, Khan's resolve appears strengthened. He vowed to continue efforts to challenge the blockade on Gaza and pursue accountability for actions there. "We will break the blockade again to save Gaza and bring all those responsible for genocide in Gaza to justice," he declared, connecting his struggle from prisons in Pakistan to those in Israel. Khan was part of a group of six Pakistani nationals aboard the humanitarian mission.

International Context and Official Response

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying activists from dozens of countries, was attempting to deliver aid and challenge the long-standing Israeli blockade of Gaza when it was intercepted. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Khan's safe release and that he is now under the care of the Pakistani Embassy in Amman, awaiting his return to Pakistan. The incident highlights ongoing international efforts to address the situation in Gaza, where a severe humanitarian crisis persists after years of blockade and recent military conflict.